Watch Burn Motherf*cker, Burn!

Burn Motherf*cker, Burn! is a gritty, eye-opening documentary film that offers a glimpse into the deep-seated racial tensions and divides that still exist in Los Angeles today. The film, released in 2017 and directed by Sacha Jenkins, explores the history of police brutality and violence against Black citizens in the city, from the Watts riots in 1965 to the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014.

The film features interviews with a variety of sources, including former gang members, activists, community leaders, and law enforcement officials. One of the most prominent figures in the film is Alex Alonso, a journalist and founder of the website StreetGangs.com, who gives a comprehensive overview of the gang culture in Los Angeles and the role it has played in shaping the city's history.

Nicolas Alonso, Alex's younger brother, also appears in the film and offers a personal perspective on growing up in South Central Los Angeles during the 1980s and 1990s. Nicolas speaks candidly about the impact of gang violence on his own life and the lives of his friends and family members, and offers a unique insight into the struggles faced by many young Black men in the area.

One of the most powerful aspects of Burn Motherf*cker, Burn! is its exploration of the impact of police violence on the community. The film features interviews with family members of those who have been killed by law enforcement officers, including the mother of Ezell Ford, a mentally ill man who was shot and killed by police in 2014. The film also examines the many incidents of police brutality that have occurred in Los Angeles over the years, including the beating of Rodney King in 1991 and the Rampart scandal in the late 1990s.

The film also features interviews with a number of community activists who have been working to address these issues for decades. One such activist is Melina Abdullah, a professor of Pan-African Studies at California State University, who helped to organize the Black Lives Matter movement in Los Angeles. Abdullah speaks passionately about the need for systemic change in the criminal justice system and the importance of community organizing in bringing about that change.

Another key figure in the film is B-Real, a rapper and activist who rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the group Cypress Hill. B-Real speaks candidly about his experiences with police violence as a young man in Los Angeles and discusses how his music has been shaped by those experiences. He also talks about the role that hip-hop has played in bringing attention to issues of race and police brutality.

Throughout the film, the viewer is confronted with stark, often disturbing images of police violence and unrest in Los Angeles. The footage is often difficult to watch, and the stories told by those who have experienced or witnessed police brutality can be heartbreaking. However, the film ultimately offers a message of hope, highlighting the efforts of activists and community members who are working to effect change in their communities.

Overall, Burn Motherf*cker, Burn! is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that shines a light on the ongoing struggles for justice and equality in Los Angeles and beyond. It is a film that demands to be seen, and that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

Burn Motherf*cker, Burn! is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.